Abstract: A method and apparatus for mandating a hierarchy of TIPs (Technological Instrumental Packages), each defining an interface for handling a related data structure, such as a symbol table or a parse tree. The present invention structures a TIP into a plurality of abstract levels, which include an encapsulated concrete representation, a representation level, a definition level, and a conceptual level. The interface to a TIP consists of, for example, the conceptual level and a portion of the definition level. The concrete representation and representation level are hidden from the computer programmer. In addition, the present invention designates an interface for each level to perform creation/deletion, access, update, and output.

Abstract: A tower-type computer power supply is supported from the top of the chassis by tracks so that it may be slid horizontally outward of the back of the chassis. A motherboard is vertically supported between the power supply and a vertical side of the computer. Upon sliding the power supply outwardly to a position where it is still supported by the tracks, the power supply cables may be plugged into the motherboard. When the cables are so connected, they limit outward movement of the power supply. When the power supply is moved inward, the cables are concealed behind the power supply. Outward movement also provides access to sockets on the motherboard for installation or removal of DSIMMs (such as memory cards).

Abstract: An interprise computing manager in which an application is composed of a client (front end) program which communicates utilizing a network with a server (back end) program. The client and server programs are loosely coupled and exchange information using the network. The client program is composed of a User Interface (UI) and an object-oriented framework (Presentation Engine (PE) framework). The UI exchanges data messages with the framework. The framework is designed to handle two types of messages: (1) from the UI, and (2) from the server (back end) program via the network. The framework includes a component, the mediator which manages messages coming into and going out of the framework.

Abstract: The invention relates to a computer system and method for fetching a next instruction. In one embodiment, a computer system includes an instruction cache, a next fetch address register, and a fetch unit. The instruction cache includes an instruction array for storing a plurality of processor instructions and a next address fetch array for storing at least one next fetch address. Each next fetch address associated with at least one of the processor instructions stored in the instruction array and indicating a location of a processor instruction to be fetched. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a first device configured to fetch a first instruction stored in an instruction cache, a second device configured to unconditionally store a next fetch address associated with the first instruction, and a third device configured to unconditionally fetch a second instruction stored at a location indicated by the stored next fetch address.

Abstract: A method for providing low power MOS devices that include buried wells specifically designed to provide a resistive path between the bulk material of the device and a well tie contact. By providing a resistive path, an equivalent RC circuit is introduced to the device that allows the bulk material potential to track the gate potential, thereby advantageously lowering the threshold voltage as the device turns on and raising the threshold voltage as the device turns off. In addition, the introduction of the resistive path also allows the bulk material potential to be controlled and stabilize at an equilibrium potential between clock cycles.

Abstract: A system and method for performing visible object determination based upon a dual search of a cone hierarchy and a bounding (e.g. hull) hierarchy. Visualization software running on a host processor represents space with a hierarchy of cones constructed by recursive refinement, and generates a hierarchy of bounding hulls from a given collection of objects by recursively grouping clusters of objects. Hull nodes in the hull hierarchy reflect cluster membership. Each hull node stores parameters which characterize a bounding hull for the corresponding cluster or object. The visualization software searches the cone and hull hierarchies starting with the root cone and the root hull. Each leaf-cone is assigned a visibility distance value which represents the distance to its closest known object. The visibility distance value of a non-leaf cone is set equal to the maximum of the visibility distance values for its subcone children.

Abstract: A method and system for incrementally serializing an object graph to a persistent form. An object graph is a set of nested objects, each with one or more properties. An object graph in a first environment is serialized to a temporary serialized form. At substantially the same time, the temporary serialized form is read into a second environment and deserialized in the second environment. By deserializing instantiation statements taken from the temporary form, a copy of the object graph is created in the second environment, wherein the objects have default values. For each object, only statements in the temporary serialized form that would alter the second environment are maintained in a final serialized form. The properties of classes are accessed through public APIs to avoid reliance on private implementations of classes. Therefore, serialized forms will typically still be deserializable even when private implementations are different across different platforms or across the same platform over time.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for providing feedback to the user of a graphical user interface using visual and operational clues. In an embodiment of the invention, the user is provided visual clues that inform the user in what direction the display area can be scrolled. The display area may contain a list, a text box, a pop-up menu or any kind of data. Operational clues help the user determine what actions move the list and what actions do not move the list. The invention can be implemented in the form of a list. A list is comprised of one or more fields. At the top of the list and at the bottom of the list is a blank space that functions as one of the visual clues. The purpose of the blank space is to inform the user they are at the top of the list and cannot scroll any further up or that they are at the bottom of the list and cannot scroll any further down. Another form of visual clue is provided through the use of partially visible fields.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that supports recovery in the event a previous process holding a lock used for mutual exclusion purposes loses ownership of the lock. This loss of ownership may occur due to the previous process dying or the lock becoming unmapped. Under the present invention a process first attempts to acquire the lock. If the attempt to acquire the lock returns with an error indicating that the previous process holding the lock lost ownership of the lock, the process attempts to make program state protected by the lock consistent. If the attempt to make the program state consistent is successful, the system reinitializes and unlocks the lock. Otherwise, the system marks the lock as unrecoverable so that subsequent processes attempting to acquire the lock are notified that the lock is not recoverable.

Abstract: An electronic assembly is described herein having a first semiconductor integrated circuit substrate with circuitry disposed thereon. This semiconductor integrated circuit substrate is coupled with a package through a first plurality of electrical connections. Sandwiched between portions of the semiconductor integrated circuit substrate and the package is an electronic assembly which is coupled to the semiconductor substrate circuitry and also the package through low resistance, low inductance connections. An electronic subassembly is described which includes a second semiconductor substrate having circuitry disposed thereon, the circuitry forming one or more of a capacitor, a charge pump, or a voltage regulator. Insulating material is disposed over the circuitry, and vias are formed therethrough. Metal bands are disposed to be continuous around the outside of the subassembly, thereby also forming a connection with the second semiconductor circuitry.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the performance of one or more computers on a network. The system and method utilize the standard output of preexisting performance monitoring utilities and filters this output to transform the data into a standardized format which may consist of key-value pairs. The reformatted data is provided to one or more clients for analysis. Separate threads are used to independently redirect the output of individual utilities to a superserver via associated sockets. The superserver uses a filter associated with a particular utility to reformat the data received from a socket corresponding to that utility. The system and method may be used to monitor varying numbers of computers and each computer may have varying numbers of preexisting utilities executed thereon.

Abstract: A method and circuit for adjusting an exponent of an unnormalized floating-point number to generate an exponent of a normalized floating-point number. The method includes the steps of: (1) generating a shift count indicating the number of bit positions, if any, a mantissa of an unnormalized floating-point number is to be left shifted to normalize the unnormalized floating-point number, (2) generating a right shift indicator indicating the number of bit positions, if any, the mantissa is to be right shifted to normalize the unnormalized floating-point number, (3) incrementing the value of an exponent of the unnormalized floating-point number, (4) concurrently with the incrementing step, complementing a plurality of bits of the shift count and (5) adding the exponent, the shift count and the right shift indicator to generate an exponent of a normalized floating-point number. The method and circuit may be implemented in a floating-point adder.

Abstract: A method for processing events generated by software and hardware entities installed on a computer network that avoids overload conditions at large event processing rates is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing a protocol translation facility that is configured to translate messages from a first network communications protocol to a second network communications protocol. The protocol translation facility is further configured to receive events transmitted by software and hardware entities on the network. The protocol translation facility forwards the events to a management information server. An event is received, and a determination is made whether an association between the protocol translation facility and the entity exists.

Abstract: A technique to detect and correct single bit errors and to detect paired bit errors in a data block. Two bits of the data block are paired and transferred on the same data path in different cycles. Check bits are computed prior to transferring the data block. A syndrome bits vector is computed when the data block is received. The syndrome bits vector includes a number of syndrome bits that is identical to the number of check bits. A value of the syndrome bits vector is used to detect and correct single bit errors and to detect paired double bit errors that occur in the data block without using an extended check bit. If the syndrome bits vector contains all zero bits, the data block is accepted without modification. If the syndrome bits vector is identical to a predetermined special vector V, a paired double bit error has occurred and either an unrecoverable error message is generated or a re-operation on the data block is requested.

Abstract: A system and method is provided that displays different symbols on an input device corresponding to different input device layouts. On a keyboard type input device, each key on the keyboard has an individually controllable display device which displays one or more symbols in a given symbol set. Software detects which keyboard layout should be used, downloads the keyboard layout over a network, such as the Internet, and causes the display device in each key to display the appropriate symbol or symbols. A virtual machine embedded in the keyboard provides a platform independent execution environment and simplifies the development of different types of input device layouts. This unique arrangement obviates the need for purchasing different keyboards and software to accommodate the different character sets used by different languages or different specialized software applications.

Abstract: A dynamic termination logic driver, one that is capable of launching signals at a driving end of a transmission line and is capable of terminating signals at a receiver end of the transmission line, controls output impedance and includes within the driver an impedance circuit and slew rate control. Accordingly, a desired output impedance can be advantageously established and maintained over a wide range of variations in operating conditions, manufacturing processes and output voltage levels. Such a driver also advantageously limits any crowbar current, thereby reducing the overall power consumption of the driver with little, if any, degradation of driver performance. The driver includes a pull up circuit coupled to receive at least one of a plurality of control codes and the driver also includes a pull down circuit coupled to receive at least one of the plurality of control codes.

Abstract: A method is provided for I/O data transfer between memory and disk. In one embodiment, an application program generates N data transfer requests. Thereafter, a data transfer list is created that comprises N entries each comprising a file sector descriptor and a buffer address. The application program is suspended in favor of initiating the operating system. Thereafter, N data transfers are performed, each one of which comprises transferring data between a file sector and a buffer identified by the file sector descriptor and a buffer address, respectively, contained in one of the entries of the data transfer list. On completion of N data transfers, the operating system is suspended and the application program is reinitiated.

Abstract: A random number generator, useful in association with a computer system of a computer network, generates a randomly distributed back-off time interval between a collision and the retransmission of the packet, e.g. for Ethernet's collision sense multiple access/collision detect (CSMA/CD) protocol. The random number generator includes a data-based number generator, a timer-based number generator and a number combiner. The combiner is provided the output numbers from data-based and timer-based number generators, and in turn generates a random number. A user selectable initialization number is provided as a seed number for the data-based number generator. Subsequently, a cyclic redundency check (CRC) generator provides numbers for data-based number generator. A free-running timer provides numbers for the timer-based number generator. The user selectable initialization number is also provided as a seed number for the data-based and timer-base generators.

Abstract: A casing for electronic, heat-emitting components, has a front provided with an ornamented bezel. Instead of a conventional ventilation grill in such front bezel, the bezel is bowed outwardly relative to the front edges of the sides of the casing. Ventilation is provided through the gaps between the back of the bezel and the front edges of the sides. The upper portion of the bezel may be formed with an opening to receive a media bezel having openings therein for removable disk drives, floppy disks and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to vertically mount a first printed circuit board into a high-density connector on a second circuit board using one or more torque-limiting screws. A suitable support structure or support surface may be mounted on the second circuit board with the top of the support structure lying below the high-density connector in such a manner as to align the connecting edge on the first circuit board with the longitudinal opening in the high-density connector when the first circuit board is placed on the top surface of the support structure. One or more torque-limiting screws may be mounted on appropriated edges of the first circuit board. One or more grooved channels, preferably equal in number to the torque-limiting screws on the first circuit board, may be provided on the top of the support structure. The torque-limiting screws on the first circuit board are oriented in line with the corresponding grooved channels when the first circuit board is placed on the top of the support structure.